Horrid Case Of Destitution. (Fzoma tha 'Ar.-,.-. -V 71- '-?I N AB inquest wac held, or Tbursday afternOcn last, at the honse of Mra. Atkinson. -the Portland Arms, near the Milk- rmark1et, n tJ he Bridget-Gr,je, a little girl three years *hfd i' 'itdx' ' ,'VWw hb' diLed in 8aadgate. Anotherlittle girl, sister of the deceasd, had died a sbort tine beforer. It is almost impossible to oonvey the slighiqt idea eftbe wretched hovel in which the deceased child was fc4nd. .It-i Sitrlate in what is called the Pot-entry, a short disthnee along Sandgate. (The room was low and nLturally dark; anDw"19 light of a fire sent an unearthbly glare aroupd a place whvJe the artbor of the recen:ly-puWished Fortunes o,f Godo6p'xf might have gained many an idea, *biuh migbt have en;bled him to make the sepulobre more deseriptive where tbe givSy was entombedalive. Thefirst object thatattracted attention was the dead body of the child, the object ef the visit of tbe jury, lying On a beard which had been placed on a taome; it hoad apparently been a geod-looking child, hut was greatly emaciae.9. On the otberi,side of the fire was a quantity'of straw, atd when Mr. Inspector Rudd handed a ligut, a aipk child was discovered in a very weak state, covered 'vith old rags. A fise little boy, apparently not more than 12 montts Dld, sat before the fire, sad wa amnsing himself witigyt- ieg something like a long stick, which, f he bad trannsrred to the stravr, might speedily have been the means of remoyr ing the eceie of so much wretchedeess and misery. A par- Lition was seen at one ps.rt of the roem, as if the former p65- ;eseor had beea a person of ,ubsubnce, and had keptansw. rhe stench was most intolerable, and impure as was the %ir in the narrow passage,fromthe filth thateverywheroabounded, it was a great relief after being a few inements within The fweilier. we Snave neaded thes particulars as a " Horrid Came of Destitution," and it was one of the nesgt appalling it a been onr lot to witness; but we do not mean to convey the slighteat censure uwpn either the board of guardians or the relieying-offioer of the district. The mother -of t,e&hilIdroa hdir ad fore money supplied to her from the relieving- officer, and from private sources, since their arrival in'the tAn, than falls to the lot of many very laborious -nen, and iew that money had been expended so one oonld conjeoture Certain it wav, if it had been properly applied, it would hAv* enabled them to be above the destitute conditien in which they were-found. WP shall, however, give the principal psrts of the eyidenoe, and the publio can ferm their own opinidn. The first witneis called was John Groke, the father of Ike deceased. He said-I came to Newcastle about three weeks ago, fromn Stockport, where I had baen a labonrer foz1 12 yeas. I left Stockcport abeut the beginning of harvestr to a-harvesting. I brought my wife and four ehitdrer to ewoastle. Tke firat place I went to was tbh Mendicity. offees, where we slept during the nights of Saturday and Sunday. When I carne out on Monday rarning I gotc6d. On the Monday we went to ledge in Wood.entry tandgat and remained there two nigbts; bat, h COnSeenCe of lb. chid that is dead having the hooping-cugh, they wonldnet let us atop any longer. During the two nit, and days we were thero we diO not receive any relief from any peikon. When I came to Newcastle I bad only Cd, and dunng,tho time I was in that lodging I sold matches I made Cd a 4y by selling matches, besides getting a little bread I then went to lodge with a person of the name of Macnxmai 1 went to Mr. Willim Wilsen's, the reliering-effloer, and I told him how my family was situated, and that my littlegirl had the hooping-nougb. He,gavh me A ashilhiag and toli es to go the next night with smy family to the house in the Manors where the oomasittee meet I went with ny family to the committee; all of them were well, excepting tle-&one who had the hooping-cough. The committee gave meSs, and said I muttleave the town. Mr. Wilson paid me the Se- he was there at the time. We went back to Macnznra's, and staid all night. I took unwell that night, as did&a3o Catherine and Ellen, two of the children; and in conee- quesice of that Macnau%ara's peDple would not have us inx tho houre any lo;ger. Next morning Macnamara' wife took tbe lodgings we are now in for us. Daring the time we were at Macnamara's we had ne doet0r atteadiDg us; we made no application to any person for a doctor. Oor present lodgiRgs are i Pothonse-entry, in a room on the ground floor. Tberc was ne furniture in it, aund we had none to put in. My-wife bought a ?ot and kettle, and two or three little dishe, or plates. V e had no bed or acy covering, and my wite went and got some shavings, upon wbich wo all slept. There was just one old blanket, not worth 64., and my wife's cloae, for a covering. We were lying on a brick floor. The room;wss very damp when we took it, but thereuwas no standing wter; it was bad enough witbout it. I had to pay IF. a-week for it. I took it of Mary Davidson, whe lived in it be[ore. About -two or three davs after I weat to my lodging myn wife went to Lar. Wifsen'z, and ho sent Mr. Msorn the surgeon. The doctor looked at all the family who were i4 but he said nothing particular. He did not tell me what was the matter with the children, but I heard the dispensary doo- tor say they had a fever. Mr. Wilson came to see them, and kept telling us he would get abetter plaee for them, btt he has net done so yet. I cannot tell the day that Mr. WRilsn came. Myorife-wasbefere theboard of guardians, but I was only before the conittee. What mnoneym mwife has got from M^?r. Wisou do notknew: I was confined to my bed.r The pish surgeon examined me: I do not know what hesaid. ne sent me very littlo medicine : I got mediciue principally from the diepenssry. - My wife went to the Mayor, to see and get me into the infirmuy, and she got a dispensary litter4 The dispensary doctor still attenids us, as doea also Mr. M5ason. I ouly get medicine from the dispensary. Catherine died en Sunday night. The dispensary doctor said it was of a fever, but I cannot-say whether MIr. Masot agTeed witk him. The dispensary doctor said it was a fever breught oa by cold and hardsbip. !Bridget died last night. We knew eor- selves that the hooping-cough was the matter with her: the doctor attended her. I suppose it is a fever that Ellen ha -(the other child lying ill). Ar. Wilson wanted to take her to the workhouse this morning, but her mother would not let her go. The Cerener.-Dil -the docter not tell you that if she re- mains where she is it will kill lier I-Yee he did, maLsya stioe. And yeu will net let her go I-Ne answer. Did he not tell your wife so too -Yea. Still your wife wilFnetletber go -No, ahe will not. She theungot as aBe could take es good care of her, and iahe eats notbing. What ha've yOeU bea living ORZ Were you ever short of Meat I-Yes3 I eat very little. Since Mr. Wilson gaveyeu moRey have yeu ever beev'Ukort of morst t VWhen Catherine died I lhad othing in the house. Some of the neighbours went out and collected something, and braught iB some tea and sugar, and bread, and seap. and candles. How long were you without provrions 1-I wa a day. Do you mean to say thatyour family had nothing for a day; -They bad two or three tatiev, hut I had 3aething. I had nothing that day until night, because I oould not eat. Since Mr. Wilson gave er relief what spiritS and-wine have you had in the house .-AboutanDggi ofrum. What is anoggin l-4tishalf a gill. it was fer the neigh- bours wbo brought in the thiags. I never saw any myself. Mr. J. Harrisen;-Had not your wife something be3ides the potatoes that eay I-She had a white berring. The Coroser.-Do you mean to say that, since Mr. Wilson saw you, yeo have not had plesty to eat -Sure not,if it bad not been for the neighbours. Mr. Harrison.-Did yonr wife mot go ont with your ohil- dren to beg, to raise the oempassien of the publi I-Never since sbe came to Newcastle. The Coroner.-Has she done so at any other pizee I- Coming through tbe country. In any otber to n I Did she de it at DurhaDm I-o. Do you knew what your wife did with the money she re- ceived 1-Ne. Had you no ether clothing to cover you exeeptinz the cloak and old hlanketl-Not until last night, when they sent us two rugs. Yon would have your own clothes I We psever took a stitch off us. Never for three weeks, until ts7t night.- Mr. Fenson.-Did yea all lie on the same heap ofshavingst -Yes. The Coroner.-Last night what 'ws sent te yenul-'Twe rtgs. ueRt by-Mlr. Wzisou 1-I dOR't know. Did tbey not come fromn Mr. Wilson t-1 suppose they did. Mr. Wilson sid he would get you abetter piesu t-Ele did. Did be ever offer any resen why he did not t Did be say people would not take you in, having A fever t-No, he never did. Sometimes he said be would get a plaee for us himz. *, and sometimes he told mv wife to look for a place, anLd he would pay the rent. Befere coming to Newcastle where did you get relief ?--At Darbem and Chester-le-Street. What did you got at Durh&A I-Lodgings, and theygae me three pennyworth of mneal or bread.-, Wbat did iou get at Chester-le-Streeti-Nething but a bed. What did yon come to Newcatle for i-Because I beard it was a cbeap place to pass the.wfuter :-TIsweals are cheap. What sent you from Stockport '-To go a-harvesting. And why did yon not go back to Stookport ?-Bieoe I owed a trifle of rent. What rent ;-Three re*ks-10s. Had you not got some goods !-Yes, I left seme goods, They are worth more than that. . You did not go back to StooiDert becaueir. nwx v" J - weeks rent I- Y es. Mr. Fenton.-How muoh rent did You pa a-Week 7--s. 6d. Mr. Fentou.-That will xot amount to lg. .-But I owed mere than three 'weeks The Coroner.-Had you never any regular mater-No, except at larvesting. At otbhr timaes I gathered rags,,and bone, and hare-skinm Rae the doctor been at your henceevery day !-.Yes,I had one yesterdai and eee to-day. Mr.W.W. mPe.l-.H&ve YOU Mever eemrlaied te thedgo. tor or to Mr. Wilsoathat yon had not sutEcient fod 2,_ No I never did. o Mr. Temple.-Did you never tell wheo you werMoft of provons ?-I never had ay dicoe with tkem; my wife aw&ys talked to them. Mr.Temp e.-Did von never heerhor eo mplain t-.Yote the The Coronter.-W t doctor .-The dimpenary doctor. When .-I cannet xay. Mr. Temple.-Do yot know whether it was yesterdayj or a 'week ago I-It was not yesterisy, because Ihad plenty t the ID answer to otEer questiong from the Coroner, Mr. Fenton, and others of the jury the witneu uid his wife bought Eve pennyworth of straw for them to lie on. She did aot oall in the nelhbours when the first chiUd died. He did met k3iow how it hppened that the child had a burn on its ara. Mr. Wilsoe never offered to take them to the workhouse. They would aot let him take the child which was now badly away They would have let him take the ethers away whek tbey were badly. He inquired of his wife how it hipp-ed that the child's hed wasym -t. but ae ooud not,tell The principal witness afterwArds examined on Thurd-a was Mr. Mason, mug on, who gave a very olear ucont' % the basinessanod bhewd how the mother o!'the ebUdllio shamefully negletebd tLem by dis.obeiWg hio rder in Umi. aistering the medieie,a*nd refuls1 to tome for it,a nd going about exciting th,e sympathyof tEe neiglibeur aad others by misrepreeettatyoa. The fat witness called tbis asy was Ellen Oroke,'the motLer *f the children. It 'ill be unnecyto eater at length uito her evidenoe,as in most paFts itwas - a onRk QR ef htr huebaid's testiwty. Sh w8be 's w i Ingn z. saw raw meat, milk, sago, potatoes, bread, butier, and senae oraseges and apples, in the house. The chillt was buried eu the Wedncsday. On the WVednesday night I heard that the other child was dead. I inquired amongsr the neiehbours if there was anything they thought they wanted, and 'they said a litt3e bed-clethinr might be of service to them. I tcok a person to AU-Saints' Workhouse with use, and got tworugs, and sent them down. The woman, or none of the familr. ever asked me te get them coverieg before. When I first saw them they were lyiag on sbaviDgs. They were sitting up at the lime, sad I did not see if t4ere was any covering for them when they lay down. I did not ask therm if they had any co- Tering. I am sure they had an old blanket and an old quilt. The thonght that the shavings was not a sufficient bed for them ne-rer struck me. They get the straw themselves. When I could not get a room I went to Mr. Mason to see if any patrt of the family might be remmved to the workbouse without endangering the other inmnates; and he certified, though relnetantly, that the cbild Ellen might. I gave the order to the mother, but she wished not to take it. She said at first that she wished it to go, but after the order was written out she said sbe would rather not, as she thouglht she would nurse it better herself. The child bas been sent to the workheuae to-day. Mr. JAsjah Wilkinson was then examined, but he only spoke to the horrid stare in which the family were oa eomne occa- sions when he went to see them. He apprehended there would be gre:t difficulty in getting a room for the family in the neightourhood under tbe circumstances in which they vwere placed. From all that be had seen he considered the mother a most i ihuman being. He had stated to the re- lIeving-officer that tho parish ought t- have some place to remaove people to whose life appeared to be dependeut upon it. Mr. Garret, one of the board of gu'rdians.-Thero is a place fAr the very purpose in the -new union workhouse. Robert Crake, who is deputy landlord for 40 rooms, proved that he had mzde every exertion to get another room for the family, but could not.. Mr. JOhn Clark, one of the guardiane, corroborated the re- lieviog-officeras to what took plaee before the comnaittee and the board, and als" some other parts of his statement. The statement of relief given to the family was also shown to be esrrect fromr. the books of the -taion. The juay Were together about half an hour, and then ro- turned a verdict that "Bridget GrDke had died a natural deatb." They also expressed their opinioIn "1 that, although sufficieat relief in money had been given to provide food, they could not separate without expressing their regret tbat, al- though the relieving-officer had not the power of himself to furnish the necesaary bedding for the family, ho did not take an earlier period of laying their destitute si:uation in this re- spect before the board of guardians." the hxd begged Air. Xamwe.'z pardon for telling somo persona 1b%t ho hsd not been tbere when he had. Sbe at first reeol- *cpted abe had begged his pardon, but could not say fer Jsat ; and she then stated sAe did net know whetler she iad begged his pardon or not. She could net reeollect admitting before the board of guardians that she had bagged gr Mason's pardon for stating that he had not been, at the touse when he had. From her enumeration oftlte surns of poney she had received, It appeared that she had got up. *ards of 21. from tho relieving-.eocer, and some private in- dividuals, isdependent ef Some proisitons. Mr. Humble, of be dispensary, gave heor 6s. She admitted receiving money om private indviduals so unwillingly that soire persons pre- eant espressed bc Opinion that it was probable she mnight have received mere than she stated. Mr. Fenton asked-After going to your present lodgings wbat covering had you --Only this eloak and a wet blanket. . Mr. Fenton.-How long was it after that Mr. Wilson got the rugs !-Tbey only came this week. Mr. Featon.-One of the cbildren bad died before that! ;=Yes. Air. Ingledew, chairman of the board of gnardian4.-As soon as Mr. Wilson is examined yoL will see he had no power to order clotbiag. M Mr. J. Ha;,rivon.-Have you ever had these children begging with you W:No. Mr. Harrisan.-Were yen ever sitting on steps on the Quay- hSr. Humble was examined, and his medical testimony cor- ipondened with toat of Mr. Mason. The f,ther had fever, as iad alao the two eldest children, and the deceased had avery bad hooping-congb. R. moving them to a healthier situation might have saved their lives, but they were so bad when he first saw tbem, particularly the ehild with the heoping-coigh, bat it was hardly litely. Either witness or bis assistant visite4 them every day ; and he occasionally gave them a shil- lini to buy wire, which be had ordered for thorn. They never ippeared to have anything iit the house, and he was quite at ai loss to know wbat they had dome xwith money wbich he knew they had got, and more particularly new, since he knevw they bad got so much. [VWe have much pleasures. and so we are convinced 'will the Public generally, in noticing the prompt and humane con- Ect of Mr. Hu;eble. In addition to his kindness to the family, It came out during the investigation that be had given themn 6s. in the course of a few day3, and had written to the beard of guardians on their bebalf. What money he gave must have been frem his o- n pocket, as there aTe no funds be- longing to the dispen-arytor the purpoe. Wre need not offer ene word of comment on such conduct. ) Mr. Willian Wilsen, the relieving-officer, was then called. He said-I was first applied to on Wednesday evening, the 5th of Decemaber, when the whole f%mily came to my house in Melbeerne-street. They said they had uio lodgings, and tbat the children weore sick. I gave them a shilling to get lodgings, and teld tbeFm to call on me in the morning and let me knew vhere thgy slept. The wonman called in the iorning, and told me it was at Macnatna-as, a place I kesw wvell. I told them that they had to come to the committee uecting that night. They were asked what their intentions were *n comilg to Newcaatle. They said to seek work. hut they eould not lind *,y. Tney also said they bad been told a ohangeoef air wias good for the iooping-cougb ;-s. was given, 1but I cannet say that they said they would leave the town; they had to do with the mon5ey what they liked. I saw itnthing more of the woman until the Wednesday following, atnd I askcd her wi7 she had not left the town. The reason was that the children were poorly, and her husband had got a cold. 8he said the money was all done. I then wro-e out an.order for 2s. 6-. worth of food, and an order for Mr. Mason to attend the family. The same evening Mr. Mason and I rent down to see them, and found tbonm sitting round the fire. None of the chbldren, exceptiog the one with thb kooping-cough, appeared to bave anything the matter with them. I then told the woman ahe was to conie before the committee on the Thursday evening followingt. On the Thursday evening 4g. was allowed to her. On ohe following (lay she got 2s. ot it, an1 29. on the Saturday. I ntever heard anything mcre of her unil the Wednesday following. Her object then was to complaia of Mr. Mason not looking to the children. I told her to go to MNtr. Mason and teU him I wanted to speak to him, which she did. I gave her a ticket lor 2s. worth of br2ad beyend the allovwance made her bj the guardians, which was the second allowaxce more than ordered to her. Mr. Mason sad I went dsgwn to the house together, and before twov or three of the neighbours she begged Mr. X,naaon's pardon for saying ho had not looked to the children. aLr. Mason examined the familv in my presence. I said if the sean had a fever never to mind the expense, but let him be removed to the Fever Hospital. He said he w-uld consider of it, and let me kRow in the morning. Next mo"rnng I saw him, and he said it was not a case that req ired to he sent to the Fever Hospital. Mr. Mason asked the woman, when we were there, wby sbe had not sent for medicine, and she said she thought it was of no use to them. *Next night the case came before t4e committee, and was by ithem referred to the board, as there was sonme complaint against Mr. Mason and myself. The woman attended the board, and so did Mr. Mason and moyself. I never heard of any eharge she bad to snake against me until she wis before .aO - - a Inat r na o ztet re- 3noyed her family to the Fever Hospital; but I h d no certifi- cate from any niedi al oflicer, and I could not (10 it witbout. The board of guardians heard all she bad to say about her case of deatitut.es. There was no g'ound of conuplaint made hgsinst me but that I did not remove them. l\r. Masen sug- gested that it tat bt be conducive to the health of-.bQ family if there was a better room, and askedl we if I could get one. I said I would endeavour to do so. The allowance made was 6s. per week for subsistence for two weeas ; and Is. 61. to p?ovide a lodging or room for bhem. The first 6s., wbieb was due la3t Tuesday, was Daid the previous Saturday. On Saturday morning she called and told me one of the children was dead; she said it was Catherine. I then gave her, un- asked, 2e. I went down On the Saturday afternoon, auId found the child living, but very ill; and I went for Mr. MIason, and brought bim down to see the child. I gave ber Is. On the Saturday I employed Robert Crako to look after a room, and not to mind anytffing about the expense. On the Sunday he czme and said be could not got one; and an the Mondsy he came again, and said ha could net find any person who we uld take in the whole family. On the Monday the woman came, and said the eldest child was dead for fair, and that she would iso the happiegt woman is England if she was at Stochport, and she would like to carry it there. I then gave her an order for a coffin and the burial fees, and 6d. to get a shroud. On the Monday I gave her la. and on Tuesdav 2s. On the Tuesday I , r. iH RIVDCA4SOP DEsTrZrTJoN. -CORONPRR' fkaTrmv '-- T -.